The first seminar in this current series will be hosted by the new CIB President Dongping Fang. Our invited speaker is Hemanta Doloi, coordinator W107 Construction in Developing Countries.
Title – Smart Villages and its Significance in Climate-positive Development
Date: November 11th Time: 9-10pm (GMT +8)
Abstract
Smart Villages research offers a compelling vision for climate-positive development by reframing the role of rural communities in global sustainability. Today, while 60% of the world’s population lives in cities, the remaining 40% are still residing in rural areas. This so-called “Golden Balance” should be preserved rather than erased through urbanisation, using the traditional construction industry practices, which already drive nearly 47% of global carbon emissions. As the vast majority of the rural 40% reside in developing countries, Construction in Developing Countries (CIB Working Commission W107) must grow its capacities to deliver sustainable housing, infrastructure, and community-led development in a climate-positive manner. Building on the pioneering Smart Villages research led by the presenter at the University of Melbourne, Australia, this work shows how rural and urban communities can complement each other, ensuring resilience, equity, and ecological stewardship. Adopting the Smart Villages concept provides a pathway for aligning construction, policy, and community action with global sustainability goals.
Biography
Dr Hemanta Doloi is currently an Associate Professor in the Construction Management discipline and the Director of the Smart Villages research program at the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning of the University of Melbourne. He is also the founding Chair of the International Conference on Smart Villages and Rural Development (COSVARD), founding Convener of the Global Seminar Series on Smart Villages (GSSV), and the Mission Advocate of the Sustainable Planet Initiative (SPI). Dr Doloi is currently the Lead Coordinator of the CIB Commission W107 – Construction in Developing Countries, where he is looking at integrating his Smart Villages research into the Construction Practices in the Developing Countries, especially in the rural construction contexts.
Details of the sixth CIB President’s seminar series can be viewed here.
